Removable Integrated Handle For Containers

ABSTRACT

A removable plastic handle assembly for use with containers such as tins or cans, wherein the handle assembly is constituted by a hoop which connects to the mouth of the container and a handle formed integrally with the hoop; the hoop has an internal slot which serves as a housing for the seam of the mouth and also has one or more gripping collets arranged, for preference, in a form equidistant around the hoop; the handle is found on the same plane as the hoop and is joined to it by two thick opposed points of attachment, corresponding to the ends of the handle, and also they are joined by one or more thinner points of attachment which keep the handle on the plane of the hoop before its use, guaranteeing its permanence in the plane and it&#39;s appropriate stacking but at the moment the handle is used, the thin points of attachment break to turn the handle during transport; the hoop moreover has projections which function as guides during the stacking.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Mexican application number MX/u/2007/000020, filed on Jan. 19, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to containers such as cans, tins and buckets. More particularly the invention refers to an improved container of the above type, which has an integrated removable handle located on the same plane of the container's lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

For a long time, receptacles such as tins and cans for keeping and storing varnishes, paints, glues and cementing materials have been used. These containers are formed of a receptacle with a removable lid and a handle joined to the receptacle. In general, the handle of the container is metallic, and the ends of the handle are inserted into the upper part of the vertical wall of the receptacle. One disadvantage of these containers is that the handle is not integrated in to the form of the container, causing problems of space in the places where they are used and stored.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,288 of Taliaferro, presents a metal container with a pressurized mouth and lid which is held by friction, wherein the mouth is at the same time formed by: a) a main portion which extends from the vertical wall of the container radially inwards and which has a first vertical friction wall; and b) an auxiliary portion which extends from the main portion of the mouth, having a second vertical friction wall. The container has a bail integrated in the upper portion, said bail can be housed in the main portion of the mouth concentrically to the lid. The principal disadvantage to this container is that the portion which supports the lid and the bail is very complex, since it is made from two parts: a main portion and an auxiliary portion, which elevates the cost of the container and implies material costs. Another disadvantage is derived from the fact that the ends of the handle are bent in a straight angle and are inserted in a vertical surface, which is not an effective enough fastening means to avoid the handle coming undone when carrying the container. Furthermore, the metallic bail presents other problems like the rusting and degrading of materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,935,223 discloses a can or tin construction, which includes a bail made of curved wire, and the means for securing this wire to a horizontal surface of the mouth, having also an area to receive the wire during storage. The disadvantage of this device is that the means for securing the bail are not sufficiently resistant to support the weight of the receptacle and the bail can become detached.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,304 describes another receptacle similar to the ones described as above, but in this case both the container and the handle are made from plastic. The handle is semi-circular and has opposite ends formed integrally with the cylindrical wall of the container. The disadvantage of this device is that the handle protrudes from the wall of the receptacle causing problems with space during storage and transportation.

Mexican utility model application no. PA/a/2005/000172, filed by the present applicant, proposes a container with a wire handle integrated into the ring shaped mouth, wherein the handle has its ends folded through a 90° angle forming a horizontal portion of the handle, and a second 90° fold upwards where the horizontal portion finishes, making a vertical end portion of the handle, creating a structure similar to a hook. In this case, the ring shaped mouth has an inverted curved ending where the folded ends of the handle are inserted, keeping it perfectly secure. However, the disadvantage of this device, as in others where a metal handle is used, is the risk of the handle rusting and the materials degrading, the difficulty of getting it out of the ring shaped mouth and the possibility that the user is injured because there is no hilt or anatomical form for its manipulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a handle that is integrated with the mouth or opening of a container or receptacle. The handle is incorporated in such a way that it can be accommodated in the upper part of the container in a manner substantially concentric with the lid, thereby permitting space to be saved during storage.

This invention proposes an assembly of handle or bail in plastic, to be integrated in the mouth of the container, tin or can, wherein the handle assembly is constituted of a hoop and a handle formed integrally with said hoop. The hoop is attached to the mouth of the container and the handle is located on the same plane as the lid of the tin, without protruding from the walls of the container. This characteristic facilitates the stacking and storage of the product and avoids the deterioration of the handle through the use of the product. The hoop furthermore has guide means for facilitating stacking of the containers during storage, preventing lateral movement which can cause the containers to fall, so transportation is more secure.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the handle assembly is detachable, which facilitates the closing of the container after its use. Furthermore, the handle can be reinstalled in the container for transportation. As the handle can be removed this facilitates its use with some other containers, which makes recycling feasible not only in terms of the material, which is recyclable, but also in the product itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a number of containers which contain the handle of the present invention, stacked and accomodated with handle attached.

FIG. 2 corresponds to a lengthwise cross section of the container, with the handle resting on the upper part, also shown is a second container put on the top, such as would be seen during stacking.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the handle assembly, with the handle in position turned and lifted, as would be seen during transport.

FIG. 4 corresponds to a top plan view of the container with the handle assembly of the present invention, showing a first embodiment of the handle.

FIG. 5 corresponds to a top plan view of the container with the handle assembly of the present invention, showing a second embodiment of the handle.

FIG. 6 corresponds to a detail of the hoop showing a guide for the centering of the container

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In aspects of the invention described further below, one or more of the following objects are sought:

1) To provide a handle assembly which connects to the mouth of a container, similar to a can or tin, wherein the handle is integrated into the container without protruding the body of the container, facilitating stacking and transportation and saving space during storage.

2) To provide a handle assembly as described above, wherein the handle can be removed to be also used with other similar containers.

3) To provide a handle assembly as described above, with guide means for facilitating stacking of the containers during storage, preventing lateral movement which could cause them to fall.

4) To provide a handle assembly as described above, wherein the handle can be removed to facilitate the closing of the container after its use and can be reinstalled to move the container.

5) To provide a handle assembly as described above which includes resistant means for securing the handle, which have a strong hold during transportation.

6) To provide a handle assembly as described above, which prevents the typical risk of rusting of metal handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The handle assembly of the present invention is designed for use with containers (12) such as cans or tins like those shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, a plurality of stacked containers can be appreciated, each one including a handle assembly (50) which connects mechanically to the top part of the container. The handle is integrated into the container without protruding from the body, facilitating stacking and saving space during storage.

Preferably, the container (12) is of a structure like that shown in FIG. 2. The container (12) has a cylindrical wall (16) and a bottom (18) is attached by a seam to the wall (16) in order to close the bottom end. The container (12) has a mouth (20) on the upper edge, said mouth defines a central opening and is designed to receive the lid (14) which closes the said opening.

The container (12) and the lid (14) can be made in plastic, metal or even compressed cardboard, while the mouth can be metallic, plastic or any other resistant material. Also, the cylindrical wall (16) of the container (12) and the bottom (18) can be made from one single piece if it is plastic.

Returning to the preferred embodiment, the mouth (20) is attached by a seam to the top edge of the wall (16) of the container. The seamed portion (42) between the container (12) and the mouth (20) is, preferably, as shown in FIG. 2: The upper edge of the wall (16) is bent outwards making an inverted, curved rim similar to an inverted “U” form, that finalizes in an upper flange pointing downwards. The marginal edge of the mouth (20) is inserted in the upper flange, going round to form a first “U” shaped rim, which later is folded inwards and downwards to form a second rim in the form of an inverted “U”. This second rim goes round the curved upper rim of the wall (16) and is directed downwards and subsequently turns inwards forming a step (45). From the horizontal surface of the step (45), a curved “U”-shaped rim is projected downwards, wherein the internal faces of the said curved rim make two vertical friction walls.

At the same time, the lid (14) has on its edge a curved “U”-shaped rim, wherein the walls of the said rim also constitute friction walls which interact with the friction walls of the mouth, allowing the lid to connect by pressure.

The handle assembly (50) is preferably of plastic. Making reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 it will be described as follows: The handle assembly (50) is formed by a hoop (22) and a handle (24) which together constitute one single piece, wherein the handle is integrated to the hoop, without protruding, on the horizontal plane. The hoop (22) is circular, with a diameter similar to that of the upper edge of the receptacle (12). For preference, the handle (24) has notches (30) in its middle, which adapt anatomically to the hand's fingers, for preference four notches (30) per handle. It is worth noting that the number of notches may vary, or even the handle could do without the notches if the container is very small. The handle (24) is joined to the hoop (22) in at least two points by thick fastening elements (41), facing at 180 degrees, corresponding with the two ends of the handle and also, for preference, by one or more thinner points of attachment (61) (see FIGS. 4 and 5) which keep the handle on the plane of the hoop before use, fixing the handle to the container, guaranteeing its permanence in the plane and its appropriate stacking. When the handle is in use, the points of attachment (61) break to allow detachment of the handle and to turn it upwards, as in FIG. 3, to transport the container.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the handle (24) has a pronounced curve (31) near to each one of the points of attachment (41), the said curve (31) acts as a spring for supporting the weight of the product, without which if the handle twists due to fatigue it could break. In another embodiment according to FIG. 5, the handle has a straight outlet from the point of attachment (61), to bear lighter weights.

FIG. 6 corresponds to a portion of the hoop showing in detail its components. As can be appreciated in the said figure, the hoop (22) internally defines a profile of the form similar to a letter “C”, wherein the hollow of the “C” constitutes a slot (64) for accommodating the seamed portion (42) of the container. FIG. 2 allows the appreciation of the attachment between the internal slot (64) and the seamed portion (42).

As shown in FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, the hoop (22) is delimited by: a) an upper circular face (51) on the horizontal plane; b) an upper internal vertical face (52) directed towards the centre of the hoop, adjacent and at right angles to the interior edge of the upper horizontal face (51); c) an external upper vertical face (53) directed towards the outside of the hoop, adjacent and at right angles to the external edge of the upper horizontal face (51), the said second upper vertical face (53) descends below the first upper vertical face (52); an inclined face (54) adjacent to and below the vertical external face (53); a lower horizontal face (55) which is in fact a continuation of the inclined face (54); and a lower vertical internal surface (57), approximately below and on the same plane as the upper vertical face (52). The upper vertical face (52) and the lower vertical face (57) are joined by the inner development of the slot (64).

The hoop (22) also has a number of gripping collets (65) to hold the hoop to the container. For example, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the hoop (22) has 8 collets. For preference, two collets are fused to the handle, while the other collets can be free. It is important to note that the number of collets (65) can vary depending on the size of the container or it could also be one continuous collet if the product allows.

Each collet (65) is an extension of the upper horizontal face (51) and of the upper vertical face (52) towards the centre of the hoop and downwards, until the slot ends. For preference, the collet (65) has a form similar to a parallelepiped (unless the collet is fused with the handle) and is delimited by: an upper horizontal face (66); an interior vertical face (67); a lower horizontal face (68); and a second vertical face (69) which is just at the front or the slot (64). In the case of a collet fused with the handle, the vertical face (69) facing the slot (64) is conserved, and the face (67) where the handle properly begins, and which is formed by the upper horizontal face (66) and the lower horizontal face (68) disappears.

FIG. 2 shows the attachment of the assembly (50) starting from the longitudinal section taken at the level of the handle (24). The lower internal vertical face (57) of the hoop touches the vertical wall (16) of the receptacle; the slot (64) serves as a housing for the seamed portion of the container, and the lower horizontal face (68) of the collet (65) stays in contact with the step (45) of the mouth (20), in such a way that the collet (65) acts as a hook with the step of the mouth, exerting resistance to bear the weight of the contents of the tin.

The hoop (22) also has a number of guides (70) to center the receptacle. For preference, each guide (70) is associated with a collet (65). The guide (70) is a projection which points upwards, elongated, lightly curved following the contour of the hoop (22). The guide (70) is located, for preference, between the upper horizontal face (51) of the hoop and the collet (65), although in another embodiment the plurality of guides can be located on the external edge of the hoop (22). This depends basically on the form of the seat of the upper tin, which will be adapted in relation to this.

As can be appreciated in FIGS. 1 and 2 during the stacking of the containers, the guides (70) constitute a boundary which demarcates the sliding movement of the upper container with respect to the hoop of the lower container. This avoids lateral displacements which can cause the containers to fall and makes transportation more secure.

Additionally, even if the preferred embodiment of this invention refers to a cylindrical receptacle with circular lid, the form of the integrating pieces could be modified. For example, the body of the receptacle could be in the form of a rectangular prism, cubic, oval column, and may have a lid and a hoop shaped to correspond with the main body. In another embodiment, the receptacle can be of any of the above mentioned forms, but combined with a lid having a shape different to that of the upper face, such as circular, oval, rectangular, square, octagonal or of any number of sides that the container and geometry permit.

It is important to establish that even if the preferred embodiment of the handle consists of placing the hoop vertically in the seamed mouth, it could also be horizontal as long as the containers have mouths whose seam is horizontal.

Even when the invention has been shown and described in relation to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by the experts in this field that changes can be made to it and elements can be substituted for equivalents where indicated, and these should be understood within the spirit and scope of the invention, as indicated in the following claims. 

1. A removable handle assembly to be used with a container of the kind which has a mouth on the upper edge that defines a central opening end, which is designed to receive a lid for closing said opening, the mouth being seamed at the top edge of the wall of the container, in the said part of the seam the top edge of the wall is bent outwards forming an inversed curved rim similar to the profile of an inverted “U”, which finalizes in an upper flange pointing downwards, the marginal border of the mouth is inserted in the top flange, going round to form a first “U”-shaped rim, which is subsequently bent inwards and downwards to form a second rim in the form of an inverted “U”, this second rim goes round the upper curved rim of the wall and points downwards and subsequently points inwards forming a step, from the horizontal surface of the step a “U”-shaped curved rim extends downwards, wherein the internal faces of the said curved rim define two vertical friction walls, at the same time the lid has on the edge a “U”-shaped curved rim, wherein the walls of the said rim also constitute friction walls which interact with the friction walls of the mouth; the assembly is characterized in that it is formed from a hoop and a handle, both of which constitute a single piece, wherein the handle is integrated into the hoop without protruding said hoop in the horizontal plane, the handle is joined to the hoop in at least two points by means of thick fastening elements facing at 180 degrees, corresponding with the two ends of the handle; the hoop internally defines a profile similar in form to a letter “C”, wherein the hollow of the “C” constitutes a slot for the accommodation of the seamed portion of the container, the hoop is delimited by: a) an upper face on the horizontal plane; b) an upper internal vertical face pointing towards the centre of the hoop, adjacent and at right angles to the interior edge of the upper horizontal face; c) an upper vertical external face directed towards the outside of the hoop, adjacent and at right angles to the exterior edge of the upper horizontal face, the said second upper vertical face descending to a level below the first upper vertical face; d) an inclined face adjacent to the external vertical face and extending below the said external vertical face; e) a lower horizontal face which is a continuation of the inclined face; and f) an internal vertical lower surface which is approximately below and on the same plane as the upper internal vertical face; the internal upper internal vertical face and the lower internal vertical face are joined by the inner development of the slot; the hoop has also one or more gripping collets which hold the hoop to the container, each collet is an extension of the upper horizontal face and of the internal upper vertical face towards the centre of the hoop and downwards until the slot finalizes, each collet is delimited by: an upper horizontal face; an internal vertical face; an horizontal lower face and a second vertical face which is oriented in front of the slot, in such a manner that during the joining of the hoop with the mouth, the internal lower vertical face of the hoop remains in contact with the vertical wall of the container, whereas the slot serves as a housing for the seam of the container, and the lower horizontal face of the collet stays in contact with the step of the mouth, in such a way that the collet acts as a hook with the step of the mouth, exerting resistance to support the weight of the contents of the tin; the hoop also has a number of guides to centralize the receptacle, each guide is a projection which points upwards, elongated, the guides constitute a limit or boundary which, during the stacking of the similar containers, delimits the displacement of a first upper container with respect to the hoop of a second lower container.
 2. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hoop of the assembly is circular and is used with a cylindrical container, the hoop has a diameter similar to the upper edge of the container.
 3. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is used with a container such as a can or a tin.
 4. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container and the lid can be made of plastic, metal or even compressed cardboard, while the mouth can be metal, plastic or any other resistant material.
 5. The handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein the wall of the container and the bottom are made of a single piece of a plastic material.
 6. The handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bottom is seamed to the wall of the container.
 7. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is made of plastic.
 8. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle has notches in the middle which adapt anatomically to the hand's fingers.
 9. The handle assembly according to claim 8, wherein the handle has four notches.
 10. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle is also joined to the hoop by one or more thin points of attachment which keep the handle in the plane of the hoop before using it to load the container, the said thin points of attachment can be broken when the handle is used, in such a manner that the handle can be turned upwards for allowing the user to transport the container.
 11. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a pronounced curve next to each one of the ends of the thick points of attachment, the said curve acts as a spring to support the weight of the product without which having a twist in the handle due to fatigue could break it.
 12. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a straight outlet from each one of the thick points of attachment to support the weight of light products.
 13. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hoop has eight gripping collets.
 14. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hoop furthermore has two collets fused with the handle, the said collets also have a vertical face which faces the slot and the handle properly starts from what would be the interior vertical face of the collet, in such a manner that the handle originates from the upper horizontal face of the collet and from the lower horizontal face of the collet.
 15. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hoop has only a single continuous collet.
 16. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein each guide is shaped to follow the contour of the hoop.
 17. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein each guide is associated with a collet.
 18. The handle assembly according to claim 17, wherein each guide is found between the upper circular face of the hoop and the collet.
 19. The handle assembly according to claim 17, wherein each guide is located on the external edge of the hoop.
 20. The handle assembly according to claim 17, wherein the body of the container has a form selected from one of the following: cylindrical, rectangular prism, cubic and oval column, and has a lid either having a shape that corresponds to the main body, or with any other shape and number of sides that the container and geometry may permit. 